Mountain View Side

Coming in over the mountain

Becca and I hit the trail out of the Monte Vista area of Tortugas Mountain fairly early this morning.  As usual the sunset side was muy crowded.  As soon as we reached the upper loop, though, we encountered four hikers trekking in a counterclockwise direction around the mountain.  Shortly afterward we bumped into two additional trekkers.  After that we saw only one other person, a runner, on the south side.  Although the temperature was in the mid-60s during our hike the humidity was almost 70%--quite high for the desert--and it felt a bit uncomfortable out there.  Nevertheless, the Beckster and I had a good time enjoying the beauty of the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

It's a Turkey Vulture

Rugged climb up the side of the mountain

Banking over the ridge

The trail we'll follow

Having just come this way

Here's some shade

Yuccas in the high foothills east of Tortugas Mountain

Take your time

Prickly Pears, yucca and Ocotillos

Even more yuccas

What else?  Yuccas

Rock

Yucca and the Organ Mountains

Cactus Wren on a yucca bayonet

Grooming

Becca in an isolated section of Chihuahuan Desert

Desert/mountains/clouds/sky

Eastern face of Tortugas Mountain

Pretty rugged

Around the north side

Flower growing in boulder

The boulder (left) on which the flower grows

Active volcano?  No.  Cloud over the Organ Mountains